Alef is the bookshop specialized in judaica. The only one in Italy

Alef bookshop counts on more than 4,200 different books and for 15 years it has been a unique point of reference for students, teachers and all people interested in approaching and investigating all aspects of Judaism.

Alef, the ghetto’s bookshop, is inside the Jewish museum of Venice, the entry is free.

We suggest you

The bookseller this week suggest a wonderful book by David Grossman: “Be my kinfe”.

If you are walking through Venice and you are looking for good books in English in our bookshop you will find a big choice.

WHY THE NAME ALEF FOR A BOOKSHOP

Alef is the first letter of the Jewish alphabet and it symbolizes the beginning, the unity and the stability. It is also the spiritual center of the thought. “Alaf” radix of the word “Alef” has different meanings, to penetrate, to produce, to cling to but also to teach, to study, to learn.

There is a vast display of books divided in sections therefore easy to be found. The staff is qualified and helpful. The sections refer to the most important Jewish subjects like religion, history, art, shoah, antisemitism, linguistics, cooking and there is also a vast section dedicated to Italian and foreign Jewish fiction. The aim of the bookshop is to spread the Jewish culture which is in general not very much known. The bookshop is closely linked to the Jewish museum which includes also the synagogues a unique architectonic complex from XVI century. The synagogues can be visited daily joining regular guided tours. In collaboration with the Jewish community of Venice the bookshop Alef organizes the presentation of new books with the presence of the writer and world-famous speakers.